#jutt roth

[araneoluslegacy]

The Grapes of Roth

Pre-KotFE RP. Title is thanks to @saljamka​, pls yell at her about it. RP with her Jutt, @grievous-girl​‘s Malanah, and @lisipuska​‘s Mok.

Word count: 3932

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Mok hung around the large golden statue of the Hutt in the Promenade, having already had a drink—or a few—earlier as he waited for his brother and their lost-and-found younger sister. Unlike the previous occasions when he had met with Jutt he wasn’t wrapped up in robes or hiding his identity with a hood.

The petite Zabrak wore what was likely a literal tonne of jewellery and an almost dainty robe with a couple of layers of thin robes draped around himself. And as much as he’d prefer to be barefoot he knew better than to do that on Nar Shaddaa and was wearing expensive sandals. All in all, Mok looked like a small, golden prince with only the decorated sabrestaff at his hip denoting his status as some sort of Force user.

"Well, look at you." A familiar voice said, "A regular little prince."

Jutt stepped up to his brother, still with cane in hand though he hardly needed it now. They didn't look particularly related, and that fact was shown off even more through their clothing. Where Mok was a sparkling vision, Jutt was more likely to be mistaken for a farmer. He gave his brother a small smile, and a nod of a hello. "I almost didn't recognise you."

Malanah had been going about the Promenade half in shopping for supplies and half in waiting for Mok and Jutt to arrive. She did not have to wait long, looking over the pair from below as she remained on the upper level; looking down. This was very creepy of her, just to stand there and… watch; that she knew all too well. But what could she say besides an awkward hello followed by several awkward questions?

She wouldn’t know till she tried, with a sigh to her chest Malanah took off towards the nearby staircase, walking down slowly with golden robes and glittered hood covering most of her person. She knew Mok and herself shared a similar fashion style, but that left a curious notion… as to how alike she and Jutt were.

“Oh! There you are!” Mok said with a chuckle and turned on the spot, arms extended for an embrace. He paused briefly to take a look at the other Zabrak. “My, my, don’t you look... drab!” With that he stepped forward and gave Jutt a big hug despite his state of dress. “You haven’t seen our sister anywhere, have you?” Mok pushed himself off Jutt lightly and then adjusted his brother’s clothes.

"I look clothed, Mok," Jutt said, shaking his head but letting his brother fuss over him. "I haven't seen nor heard a peep."

That peep came very quickly upon the Brothers, along with her scent; her blooded bond. “Greetings…" Her voice was tender and her face soft, peeking out from the golden shroud about her head. “I… I’m glad to see you both made it safely here.”

“I’m clothed, too, but I’m not so boring,” Mok said, and then turned to Malanah and grinned, flashing his sharp canines. “There you are, darling! And oh yes, we got here just fine.” He hadn’t even asked his brother; Mok simply assumed the trip went well. “And you’re here in one piece, too. Are we all up for drinks, then?” He asked, as if he was completely and utterly sober.

"I'm not going to carry you if you fall over drunk, Mok. That said, I wouldn't mind," Jutt said, though kept his gaze on the young woman who just arrived. "Miss."

“S-Sir.” She gave Jutt a confused but civil smile before giving him a bow. Was… it weird to call him "sir"? “Em,” she cleared her throat, rose up from the bow, and looked to Mok warmly. “I would not mind a mild drink. I believe the local cantina has a wonderful yearly brew from the Core Worlds. Um… Corellian, I think.”

“Corellian Ale, darling?” Mok smiled and nodded towards the Slippery Slopes cantina nearby. “That’s a pretty nice one. I think I’ll have wine or… No.” He tapped a foot on the ground. “Something spicy. And you, Jutt?” He asked but he already started to walk off to lead the group.

"I'll take a small brandy," he replied, giving another glance towards Malanah as he walked after his brother, catching up to him easier than he might have done last time they met, cane tapping against the ground as he did.

Malanah trailed behind the two males, hands crossed and eyes set up to them, studying them. She looked nothing like Jutt and she looked nothing like Mok. Where had genetics taken the divinations for such contrasting peoples? It brought out a small smile as she walked with them in thought. “Th-There is also a um… I can’t quite remember what the barman called it, but the drink had a pleasant fizz to it all.”

“Something fizzy?” Mok pondered over what the drink might be and adjusted his draped robes as they entered into the cantina. It was as lively as it ever was with a live band playing in the back and a handful of bartenders serving their customers. “I’m not sure what it could be, darling. Shall we grab a table out of the way?”

"Somewhere far from the band, hmm? So we're not shouting all over each other." Jutt looked back over his shoulder to her. "I'm not sure what drink you're thinking of, but maybe the barman knows?"

“Perhaps. Or maybe they can make something similar.” Malanah didn’t give her drink option more thought after that, keeping her mind set on the brothers before her. She did not stray far from them as the three strode to a quieter part of the cantina, thankful that the entertainment’s bass was far enough away now to not pound into her chest like some wild beast, for her heart was doing plenty of that already.

Mok found them a table in the quieter part of the cantina and set himself down, adjusting his robes as he did so he wouldn’t give his brother and sister a little too much of himself to look at, and then pulled the menupad on the table over, tapping his order in first. For once he orders a strong drink that isn’t a wine, and also a couple appetisers. Mok then sets the menupad back down and gestures at it.

“Order what you like,” he says, “there’s descriptions and pictures of the drinks and food too, darlings.”

Jutt nodded as he sat and tapped at the pad quickly before sliding the pad towards Malanah. He knew what he wanted and it wasn't the first time he'd been here. He glanced slowly around at the other patrons, both people-watching and looking out for any potential threats. It was still a cantina on Nar Shaddaa after all, fights were par for the course.

"So," he said, tilting his head while watching a loud patron yelling at the circular bar. Literally yelling at the bar. "Here we all are."

           “Warm.” Malanah’s own tiny fingers slide across the menu, ordering more food on top of what Mok had ordered, and ah—! It was a soda, some weird, green hued… milk soda? Huh, the things you find on Nar Shaddaa! She smiled. “S-Space can be so cold even in a temperature controlled cabin. Being here is a decent change.” She slid the menu to Mok before going to her credit purse, drawing out a few to go ahead and pay for her added foods.

“Oh yes! You’ve been travelling, right?” Mok asked with a gentle smile, and then looked over their orders before sending them off. “Darling,” he nudged his brother’s leg with his toes, “she’s gone off to wander around space. Can you imagine that, hmm?”

"Hmm?" Jutt turned his head back to Mok. "Oh, Yes. Yes, very... adventurous of you."

“I-I suppose… We’ve been keeping to primarily safe areas of space, for now, so it’s not too wild or adventurous.” She gives a shy look over to Jutt; not making eye contact with him. “Y-Yet, heh. Do you… travel?” She didn’t want to eye the crimson male too much, as not to make him feel awkward, but she couldn’t quite peg what exactly he did for a living. A cane meant nobility or maybe a cripple, and both could get somewhere in high standing. But he was not so elaborately dressed as Mok, so maybe a merchant?

Mok leaned his elbows on the table and rests his chin in his cybernetic hands, keeping quiet and listening to the conversation for now.

"I've been known to travel. Not often of my own volition, at least not until more recently," Jutt said, turning his head finally to properly look her up and down. She looked a lot more like Mok than she did himself. Here they were, all three related through each other but the anchor point between them looked nothing like the other two. He let a small smile take over his previously distracted expression.

"Travelling tires me out." He paused. "Actually, no, I take that back; the destinations always tired me out. It was the idea of where I was going that made the journey so bothersome."

“W-What kinds of places did you go to, to draw out such… tiredness? S-Someplace boring?” At seeing Jutt smile she could not help but her own grow a tad wider; more confident and comfortable. “I’ve not discovered a boring place yet with my Captain. Tell me more of your travels? H-Have you and Mok been on any endeavors together?” From what she could gauge on the brothers they seemed close… ish? She knew Mok was raised by Jutt for a time, but other than that he did not say; in what she could only assume to leave her room to find out on her own.

"Well, let me posit a question to you in response to that. What are you generally doing on the planets you've been?" Jutt asked, distracted again by the drinks being delivered, though the food was still being prepared. "Endeavours? Well..." he gave a sideways look to Mok. "That's difficult to answer."

“Delivery. Um, transport.” Smuggling. How many good words could Malanah use to cover the not so nicely colored jobs Tooth took on from time to time? Well, now Tooth and she took on from time to time. She brought her lips into a thin line as she thought. Nope, no good way to explain that. “M-My Captain and I take goods to and from planets, usually hired by smaller parties or individuals. Freighter business.”

She followed his gaze to Mok, a brow ridge raising curiously. “A-And if my question is too difficult to answer you do not need to say. I was just curious.”

“Your question? Oh! If Jutt and I’ve gone anywhere to do things, hmm?” Mok spoke up finally and pulled his glass over closer to himself. “No, not really. In fact, we’ve only recently started contacting one another again. Long distance relationships, even with family, aren’t always… easy to uphold,” he said.

It was true although for all sorts of reasons Mok hadn’t mentioned. The fact that he thought his older brother was probably dead for most of the twenty years was, well, one of those reasons. He smiled gently at Jutt and took a sip of his drink, waiting for him to either continue what he’d begun to oh-so-vaguely explain, or to swiftly change topics.

"I'm glad to have found you again," Jutt said, reaching his hand up to pat his brother's shoulder. The older Zabrak took a breath then focused back towards Malanah.

"So you go to places, do what you must, then leave promptly. My work forced me to go to places, not nice places, and stay there for some months at a time usually."

“Like… a soldier? You get stationed planet side at forts, an Officer, or—?” Mok had also told Malanah that he and Jutt could not meet up all that much, but again it was simply left at that. If Jutt was part of the Republic, and Mok being a Sith Lord, then the obvious rift between them and the meetups would be the faction split. But… they were together before any split. What caused the separation?

“S-Sorry if my questions cause discomfort. I just… There is so much I wish to know about you both, a-and I fear that time will not be kind.” She went to take a quick sip from her green drink, eyes lowered downward.

"I suppose like that, though I always thought of it more like babysitting, or trying to wrangle a gaggle of younglings." Jutt said, taking his drink to sip while he thought. "You lot stop fighting in the back. I swear I will turn this civil war around." he sighed, "One of those things where you forget how bad it is until you decide to try again. Then it all floods back to you, but by that point it's much, much too late."

He waved his hand, dismissively. "Dear, it will take a lot more than this to make me even mildly uncomfortable. After all, Mok is my brother." He added, downright smirking. That was something they had in common, vast amounts of sass.

Younglings. Civil war? Jedi? She didn’t see a Lightsaber on his person, or maybe she missed it? No, more than likely he left it be somewhere before coming to the Moon, for it didn’t take to kindly to Jedi walking about its business. Malanah’s eyes went quickly down Jutt’s person, trying to find any clue to-… then she caught the metal leg. Her gazed snapped away and listened to Jutt as he spoke on.

At his smirk she smiled back. “You two seem very much like… the other half of each other. It’s very… comforting.” Comforting as in how possibly she could be accepted into the flock as a family member? She questioned that many times before today. Mok had been so welcoming and accepting to her, even when barely knew her, so maybe (if he and Jutt were so similar) the oldest brother might be open to accept his unknown little sister? She couldn’t ask, not outright; that would be rude.

“S-Speaking of comfort, how has the capital been?” Her question was turned to Mok, tilting her head. “I must admit I sometimes miss Dromund Kaas’s material comforts, when compared to a starship. If I want things from home I have to have them imported through 3rd person channels.” Or ask Tooth, but the man had enough work as is… on top of other things; so she didn’t bother him to much with her creature comforts.

“I inherited all the sexiness, obviously,” Mok said with a light chuckle, and then plucked some snacks from the plate as the appetisers may have arrived by now. “And the capital? Oh, about the same as it’s always been. Dark, rainy, and subsequently wet.” He paused for a moment. “I’ve got a boyfriend though,” he added as it was obviously some sort of important galactic news.

"Sometimes I have moments where I miss the old place," Jutt said, taking a slow sip from his drink purposefully, for dramatic effect. "Then I ask the healers for slightly weaker painkillers— Hang on a second, a boyfriend? Where did you find one of those?" Jutt asked, quickly turning his head to Mok when he realised what it was that he'd actually said, raising a brow.

“Indeed!” The sister’s eyes went wide at hearing the news, another smile coming to her face. “N-Not that I’ve been looking for one myself, but they are such a hard treasure to find these days; boyfriends. Who is he? Where did you meet him?” Malanah seemed to glow at once, not physically of course, such an affectionate subject bringing the female out of her shell. “Is he handsome? He must be to match your own beauty, heh.”

“Of course he is!” Mok laughed and munched on an appetiser. “You met him, Jutt! That handsome Zabrak with all those… horns,” he smirked. “I met Zaol in the Nexus Cantina, actually. Spoke with him a little over comms and we met for a few drinks. The second time we met, though, was excellent. We had this grand spar outside in the jungles. He only won because he kept telling me all the things he’d do to me…" Mok took a deep breath, smiled, and bit his lip. “He’s nice.”

"First of all, I'm glad you stopped when you did. Secondly, look at you, all lovey-dovey," Jutt said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Honestly, I was expecting a different name to fall out of your mouth."

“The important thing is that he makes you happy… and by that little look on you face,” Malanah smirked and sipped from her glass till it was empty. “He must be making you very, very happy. Do you have a holo of him?”

Mok nodded and took a small holocom from his belt, pulling up the holo of his boyfriend. “That’s him,” he beamed, and then looked between Jutt and Malanah. “Now, Jutt, I know you don’t have anybody with your silly ‘no attachments’ rules,” Mok tutted, “but, Malanah, how about you? Any new men or women in your life?”

The blush could not have come quicker to Malanah’s face even if she tried, words fumbling about as she spoke. “M-Me? I… well… sort of?” She shrugged tightly then went to timingly stuff her face with chip after chip form one of their food choices, trying to fill her mouth with anything but words. “T-The man I am traveling with, the one I told you about Mok, he… he…" More chips and the blush intensified. “We are not thing! I-I don’t think he can do… things. S-Sorry, I’m blabbering again.”

Although it was likely inappropriate, Mok laughed a little too loudly; honestly, the alcohol that was already in his system could be blamed for some of it. “What do you mean he can’t do things? Is he missing some parts?”

           "Mok, that's impolite," Jutt said, shoving Mok's leg under the table. "You should know better.”

           “I-It’s alright… He… his legs and waist are replaced with cybernetics. He had an accident.” She seemed to shrink in the chair, tiny legs pulling up to where she hugged them to her chest. “L-Long before I meet him… he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. Enjoys it actually. A-And it’s not like I need those parts to like him…"

“Oh!” Mok covered his mouth with one of his prosthetic hands with beautiful gold filigree. “Oh my stars, sorry! You can like him, darling, and I don’t think he needs those, ahem, parts to like you back… In case you were concerned about it.”

"I don't think she was concerned about it, a little uncomfortable in the spotlight, I think." Jutt said, looking across to her. "Would you prefer to change the subject?"

“Maybe. It just feels… a tad odd to talk about him, l-like this. He… yes, new subject.” She stopped herself at that, clearing her throat and making a quick order of water from a passing waiter droid. The blush remained there for the longest time afterward, but Malanah tried to not notice it. “Why don’t you tell me some more about you, Jutt?” She turned her attention back to Jutt, not herself.

“Oh yes! Do tell,” Mok said, grinning at his brother. “I’d like to see how much you can talk about yourself.” He chuckled and thanked the server droid once their food arrived, happily diving into his own food.

"I doubt I could do any better than you, dear brother, you do like the sound of your own voice in casual conversation. Myself, I prefer heated debates if I'm going to talk at length."

“…Maybe you… you could tell me about your mother?” That was very blunt, very sudden, but she had to know; and if Malanah was going to ask one rude and upfront thing it would be about their shared Mother. “O-… Our Mother? I’ve always day dreamed about her…" Her round eyes were soft, trying not to appear forcefully about it; never knowing what could be a trigger or not.

"Well," Jutt rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands, searching through his memories until something stuck. "It's been a while since I thought about her. Protective is the first word that comes to mind, right after that would be stubborn although that's a given. I wouldn't say angry," He said, furrowing his brow, "Passionate would be a better fit. Not a very good slave." Jutt added mixing a small smile with a sour expression surprisingly well. "I hope I didn't ruin your daydreams."

“No… no you didn’t ruin it.” She had closed her eyes, building a woman’s face in her head; piece by piece. As the face became a shape, Malanah’s lips became a smile. “She sounds wonderful… proud and strong. ‘Tis much better then how the Lords described her to me.” The sister opened her eyes again, more like a little crack as she looked back to Jutt. “Do… do we know her name?”

"Her given name was Ven."

“Ven.” Malanah’s eyes closed again, putting the final piece into the puzzle. She nodded and turned her smile to Jutt, calm and collected. “Thank you for sharing that, sharing her, with me.”

“That’s a nice name,” Mok commented between stuffing his face, eloquently of course, with food. He might’ve been small but he still ate like a Zabrak.

"I suppose she'd be Ven Roth, really." Jutt tilted his head towards Malanah. "Do you have a second name?"

“I… I do not.” She shook her head and thought for a long while. “… I have never needed one before. With the Sith as their slave, I was just ‘the girl’. With my old friends I was simply ‘Malanah’. I… I never thought about a last name till Mok found me in that dress store. I-…" Her eyes went wide as the thought struck her, like a slap to the face. “…Am I a Roth? I-I mean… can I be?”

“Hmm?” Mok cants his head to the side a little and takes a few sips of his drink. “I guess you are part of the Roth clan, so why not?” He shrugged. “I’ve got my mum’s Rattataki name because they figured it’d help me blend in better. Then I grew hair and horns and stuck out more than anyone else.”

"Then you decided if you were going to stick out you may as well go all the way, hm?" Jutt said good naturedly, before addressing Malanah again. "You're Roth by blood, I doubt anyone would object. Welcome to the family." Jutt said, raising his glass and giving a nod and smile towards her.

Malanah lifted her cup to that, smiling back to Jutt and Mok. “T-To family, to the Roths.”

“To the Roths,” Mok said with a smile and lifted his own drink. “Does this mean we all get drunk tonight?”

"I think you're already well on your way, Mok. Hardly fair with that head start of yours." Jutt said, though that didn't stop him having another drink from his glass.

“Heh, shall I be the sober one that drags you lot out of here when you need to get back to your ship? Heh, and so the youngest shall be the leader.” Another smirk, another sip from her water, and all (for once in her life) felt right.

[lisjonok]

“Oh! There you are!” Mok said with a chuckle and turned on the spot, arms extended for an embrace. He paused briefly to take a look at the other Zabrak. “My, my, don’t you look... drab!” With that he stepped forward and gave Jutt a big hug despite his state of dress. “You haven’t seen our sister anywhere, have you?” Mok pushed himself off Jutt lightly and then adjusted his brother’s clothes.

"I look clothed, Mok." Jutt said, shaking his head but letting his brother fuss over him. "I haven't seen nor heard a peep."

Mok and his half-brother @saljamka’s Jutt. I just had to doodle this part really quick.

[araneoluslegacy]

Brothers At Long Last

Jutt is saljamka‘s and Mok is lisipuska‘s.

Word count: 3758

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Mok stayed on the upper levels of the Promenade for a while as he observed the comings and goings of people down below, wondering if he might be able to spot his no-good, traitorous older brother. At least that’s how he figured he was meant to feel about him, being a proper Sith Lord of the Empire and all. The truth in the matter was that he didn’t care too much that his brother and former guardian had defected and joined the Jedi Order. That sounded absurd to him, sure, but it made no difference to him. Mok wasn’t here to convince Jutt to return to the Empire. He was, however, still very nervous that this meeting was some sort of ploy to capture him and drag him to the Empire, and he didn’t want that to happen.

The Zabrak—Zabrattaki?—leaned over the railing and felt around through the Force. It didn’t seem like anyone had been sneaking around and spying on him. Mok unfortunately and very likely stood out on the moon in his silver and purple fitted robes, but he sadly found his wardrobe to be bereft of “clubbing” clothes. He made his way down the walkway to the square below and then to the Slippery Slopes cantina, stopping outside it briefly to take down his hood and fix his jet black hair, and double checking for himself if his gold jewellery was still all in place. Finally, he stepped inside and made his way into the cantina proper.

Unbeknownst to Mok, his horrible good for nothing brother had managed to arrive before him. Camping out at a table at the back of the cantina, Jutt kept his head down and busied himself with pretending to read his datapad. Perhaps this hadn't been the best idea he'd ever had, if things went downhill there were quite a few relatively innocent bystanders to take into account. He raised his free hand and rubbed at the bridge of his nose while taking a deep breath. How much had he changed? How much had either of them changed?

Jutt inclined his head and took a hold of his cane, pushing himself upright to scan the room over the rim of his reading glasses. Up past the sloping floor, of which he wondered which had come first the slope or the name of the cantina, he spotted a familiar figure. Mok hadn't changed drastically enough over the years that Jutt had been in the Republic for him not to recognise his little brother. He hesitated, thinking about offering a wave before he thought better of it. Instead he stood and waited for himself to be spotted, waiting to judge Mok's reaction.

Mok had wandered up to the bar first, shifting his weight between his feet, a little unaccustomed to wearing shoes, as he scanned the room. He had a creeping worry that he was forgotten about, but remembered that really he could holo his brother at any time now that he had a private frequency. Worry was unbecoming of him anyway, but he wondered now if he should have masked his corruption. Ah well, too late for that now. He saw a figure stand up across the room though, and for a moment he felt as if both his hearts stopped.

After nearly thirty years his brother was now standing in the same room as himself. A handful of different emotions surged through Mok for a brief moment, everything from anger to excitement. Happiness, however, shot its way up the surface and the Zabrak’s tattooed face split into a smile, his sharp canines falling over his lower lip. He wasn’t sure whether or not to wave and decided not to. It would only bring attention to him from the rest of the patrons.

Mok left the bar and crossed the room, approaching the table where his brother had been waiting. “I don’t know why I never thought you’d fix that leg of yours,” he said through his smile, and held his arms out for an embrace.

"You know how it is, you put something off for a few decades and you start to wonder if it's worth it," Jutt said, taking the step forward needed to put one arm around his brother to pat his back. "If you stab me now, I'll be very disappointed."

Grabbing Jutt into an embrace, Mok held his brother tightly and wanted to bury his face in him, but luckily remembered in time that his head had rather sharp horns protruding from it and refrained. He didn’t come all the way to Nar Shaddaa to gouge his brother. After trying to squeeze the air out of him, Mok finally loosened his grip but stayed there for another moment still.

“That would be a silly thing for me to do, don’t you think?” He said and smiled up at Jutt. “You kind of look like dad, you know?”

"Old, you mean?" Jutt asked, still processing having being given such a positive greeting. He had been expecting a sort of awkward standoffishness between them, one with stilted and nervous conversation. They would exchange a few words, then one would make the excuse to leave and that would be the end of it. The idea that that had been what he'd wanted to happen flickered into the forefront of his mind, he didn't let the frown reach his face but he still shook his head at himself.

"I don't know, I wouldn't have been surprised if you'd held enough animosity towards me to give me a little stab."

“You wouldn’t be wrong there,” said Mok. “I’m pretty angry about that still, but truth be told I’m much more happy just to see you again.” He then let go of Jutt and took a small step back towards the table to take a seat on one of the stools but then paused. Looking at his brother for a moment, a frown appeared on Mok’s face. “But I’m sensing that you feel a bit differently right now.”

Jutt himself didn't pause, sitting down heavily on the stool he'd previously been using. He waved his hand towards the seat which Mok had declined to take, and shook his head again. His cane's handle resting in both hands, fingers tapping against it. "If I hadn't wanted to see you, I could've easily stayed just where I was instead of limping all the way to Nar Shaddaa." It was an obvious dodge to Mok's question, and he knew fine well it wouldn't stand. Still, it was worth a shot.

Mok sat himself down lightly and rested both his elbows on the table, watching the other Zabrak for a moment, and then sighed to himself and glanced around for a serving astromech droid. “I’m sure you’d have found something to do had I not shown up, Jutt. You didn’t tell anyone what you were doing, did you?”

"One old friend knows," Jutt said, "You know, I never entertained the idea that you might not show up."

“I’ll take your word on that,” Mok said, relaxing again into a smile, “I didn’t come here to antagonise you.”

"No, no, I know that much. You'd have to do a lot harder to get that reaction from me." Jutt said, turning his head to look Mok straight in the eye. "Why did you want to see me, and why now?"

“Now because I just happened to come by your holofrequency,” Mok said with a sigh and flicked his wrist. An astromech slid over after a moment, obviously not moving on its own accord. It beeped and chirped frantically until it smacked into the table and was released from the Sith’s pull. Turning to the droid, Mok smiled and said, “Alderaanian Wine, please. I’m feeling a little exotic tonight. What about you, Jutt? A tea?”

Jutt spluttered, failing to hide the laugh he had let slip on seeing the poor little astromech's unplanned course change, the coughs he tried to cover it with had only made it that much more obvious. "Tea, he says. I only drink tea in the temple, dear boy." Jutt said, pointing a finger at Mok though with a residual smile. "I'll have what he's having," He continued, nodding towards the astromech this time.

Mok raised a brow and gave a sly little smile, nodding to the droid to go ahead and take that order. He then turn back to Jutt, rested his chin in his hand, and said, “Wine? I thought you no-good Jedi couldn’t partake in alcohol. Or is that just some strange propaganda they spread?”

"Have you ever heard a version of the Code with the line 'there is no wine, there is only tea'? And if you have please tell me the rest of it, I like a good laugh at my expense sometimes." Jutt said, leaning to the side a little to rest his elbow on the table. "Seriously though, you're expected not to be drunk on the job, but I think that's a fair expectation for anyone. Especially those handling weapons, or the general public, or both."

“Huh, you learn something new every day. What about diets? I also heard Jedi are all, typically, vegetarian. I assume they make exceptions for terrible carnivores, such as yourself. Is that true? Or more propaganda?”

"I'd ask where you were getting all this information, but I know fine well where. Ground-breakingly enough, it depends on the person. Jedi still tend towards being people." Jutt paused a beat. "Though I do wonder about some of the old Masters sometimes."

“The old Jedi Masters? An unusual bunch?” Mok was interrupted briefly when the astromech returned to the table, whistling on its approach, and held a tray out with their glasses. “Oh, why thank you, darling!” After setting a credit chit on the tray and taking the glasses, handing one to his brother, he continued with his barrage of questions. “I can’t say I know too much about them in terms of people. Usually they see the other side of a Sith’s lightsaber, or—pardon the terminology—eat Imperial blaster bolts; but with everything else you’ve thus far said, I’m to assume they’re rather similar to old Darths?” He chuckled and added, “Minus the old gloom and doom, of course.”

"You'd be surprised by how much doom and gloom you can get out of an old Master -thank you- Just mention any type of reform or new idea and you'll get a barrel full. You could put a few of them in each other’s robes and it would be difficult to tell the difference." Jutt said, raising his glass and nodding his head towards Mok in a toast. "Don't tell anyone I said that."

“Hm, so much information, Jutt,” Mok said and closed his eyes for a short moment as he swirled his drink around in his glass, and then took a sip before continuing, “You didn’t even check me for recording devices. I wish my assignments were this easy.” He then sat up a little and laughed, his face lighting up in a cheerful smile. “But I wouldn’t do that to you, of course!”

"Let's go over what you've learned, hm?" Jutt said, though a small smile belied any tone of seriousness the question would've otherwise had. "We're generally people, we don't all drink tea or only eat vegetables, and I have personally butted heads with some of the old guard. I'd love to see the look on the face of whoever you returned to with that intelligence."

“Oh, you know they’re practically starved for information. But, joking aside,” said Mok, taking another sip of his wine, “We really ought to properly catch up. Nearly—what was it—nearly twenty years? Where does one begin?” He made himself more comfortable on his stool and leaned forward as if this would get the stories to him much faster.

"Ah ah ah," Jutt said, wagging a finger across the table. "You've been asking all the questions so far, surely it's my turn by now, no?"

Mok sat back and looked positively surprised, the grin on his face even vanished for a moment. “You’re right, I’ve been a bit greedy. Go on then,” he said, waving his glass at Jutt gently, “Ask away.”

"Are you content?" Jutt asked, plainly.

“Content? Sure, I’m content. I have an entertaining job, a few friends, and about a half-dozen cats,” said Mok with a smile. “Are you content?”

"More than I used to be, I can say that much. I don't have any pets, but I do have an old apprentice to worry over. And," He paused to point a finger at him softly. "I have a lot more reading time."

“I hope you weren’t blaming me for something. It wasn’t my idea to dump me on you, you know.” Mok shook his head a little and downed the rest of his drink, which really was pretty much the whole glass, and then gestured to the astromech across the cantina to bring another round. “I remember that apprentice nearly made your horns fall out—no, I don’t care that that can’t actually happen, but you haven’t any hair to go grey. Why do you still babysit him?”

"I never once mentioned or implied I was talking about you, I was complaining about the old workload." Jutt said, sighing just after. "So you believe it's actually him now?"

“I do. I just can’t imagine that he’d go over there without a fight.”

"He didn't."

“How many…” Mok pursed his lips and thought over what he wanted to say, and then shrugged. “Never mind, that’s probably an inappropriate question. Isn’t it, though, against your silly rules to pursue familial relations?”

"I'm not pursuing, I'm having a friendly conversation with someone who wished to meet me." Jutt replied with a shrug of his own. "And it's not as if either of us are going to shout it from the rooftops when we get back home, is it?" He asked, tilting his head and raising a brow at his brother.

“Hm, probably not,” said Mok, “Although I do wonder if you’ve been trying to gauge how well I’d do in your order.”

Jutt looked across the table at his brother, his own expression turning more serious for the time being. "I can't say the thought hadn't crossed my mind, but if you're truly happy then I won't pursue it. You can have my word on it, if that means anything to you now."

“Perhaps.” Mok held a hand out and picked up a new glass of wine as the astromech passed by, bringing it up to his lips for a sip. “I haven’t forgiven you for just up and leaving me like that.”

"And if I'd told you beforehand, what then?"

“I might have accompanied you.”

"Might have," Jutt repeated, "You could've just as easily tried to make me stay."

“Well, it’s a missed opportunity, Jutt.”

"Then there's no point in discussing it either way, what's done is done and there's no going back." he said, "There is no going back, not for me." Jutt brought one hand up and gently rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I am sorry for leaving you."

“I only had one big brother, you know,” said Mok, who didn’t smile, but his face was much more relaxed as he reached out to pat Jutt on the arm gently. “It’s... I forgive you.”

"You're not obligated to, you know." Jutt said, patting the hand which had pat his shoulder.

Mok nodded and kept his hand there for a moment longer before finally pulling it back to himself, and then admiring the sleek metal of his limbs. “I wasn’t expecting an apology at all, to be honest.”

"Now that's something I'm curious about. What did you expect?" Jutt asked, frowning momentarily, "Am I all that different?"

“Different enough,” said Mok. “I remember you being more—stressed, probably with all your work. They still like to pile things up on us Lords, whether we can handle it or not. Probably why some of them have a gaggle of apprentices… Oh, there I go rambling.” He paused to chuckle a little and took another sip of his wine as he observed Jutt for a moment. “You’d get angry at me for little things. Well, maybe that’s not quite the right word. It was easy for you to snap at things, I suppose!”

"Mm, I could have done better." Jutt nodded to himself, brows furrowed.

“Well, I won’t blame you for anything. It was kind enough that you took me in and raised me, of course.” Mok smiled and covered his mouth a little as he chuckled. “Even if you haven’t got a paternal bone in your body.”

"Maybe it's just as well I'm where I am, hm?" Jutt said, brightening slightly. "Now I won't need to make some poor person miserable while trying to 'continue the family name'."

“That’s not a requirement, anyway. I mean just look at the handsome fellow sitting across from you!”

"So humble, how do you get by in the Empire?" Jutt shook his head, but kept a small smile. "I'm not sure I can imagine you with children. I don't have to imagine, I know I'm a terrible guardian, you know I'm a terrible guardian."

“Maker, I have no idea what to do with children. My B-F-F has three—not that she remembers that practically any of the time ever. They’re absolute sweethearts, but leave me in a room with them?” Mok shook his head and downed the rest of his second glass before continuing. “This charming and perfect blend of Rattataki and Zabrak suddenly clams up and wants to climb out a window!”

"Imagine that, your one weakness is small children." Jutt smiled and gathered the empty glasses, setting them back onto the droid as it made its rounds.

“It’s not a weakness. I work with Acolytes all the time. It’s just the tiny ones.”

"At least you don't find yourself tripping over younglings whenever you go for a walk." Jutt said. He grimaced a touch while shifting his leg, keeping one hand on it after. "Though to be fair, sometimes I'm the one tripping them."

“That’s not nice, Jutt,” said Mok. He then glanced to the table, knowing full well what was bothering his brother, and sighed. “Why haven’t you ever gotten that fixed?”

"I'd prefer to keep myself in one piece for as long as I'm able. And I'm a stubborn ass." He folded his arms on the table, refusing to pay it any mind. "And I only trip the ones who are running in the halls after I tell them not to."

“But haven’t you noticed how nice my hands are?” Mok held both his cybernetic hands out at Jutt and wiggled his fingers. “So nice! And where is that droid? I’m out of wine,” he added with a frown.

"You didn't have hands, I still have a leg—it's different." Jutt said, waving one hand. "Am I such bad company that you need to get drunk to stay in it?"

“I didn’t have a couple—a trio of other things?” Mok squinted a little, trying to work that out but gave up on it. “Oh! No, no, no! I just like to drink,” he said with a grin.

"I'm warning you right now, I'm not carrying you to a taxi if you fall flat on your face, or any other part of your body for that matter." Jutt replied, pointing one finger at his brother. "Maybe slow down just a tiny bit?"

“I’ll just purge it. But fine, fine, I’ll slow down. Just for you.”

"You wouldn't want to take a tumble and ruin your perfect face, even chip a horn?"

“I already said fine,” Mok grumbled a bit to himself and then nodded. “What do you even do there? As a Jedi?”

"Shirk responsibility for the most part."

“Stars, that sounds boring.”

"It's like a game, I get to see how long it takes before I get caught and flown off somewhere for actual work. My record is three months." Jutt said, letting a smile find its way back to his face.

“What exactly do you do when you’re doing that, then? I’d go crazy if I didn’t have anything to do!”

Jutt tapped his fingers on the table lightly, trying to find the simplest words. "Referee."

“A referee for what?” Mok asked, sitting up again. Soon enough, though, he was back to glancing around for a server astromech.

"Communities." Jutt said. He lifted one hand up and snapped his fingers towards Mok, even giving a little whistle to get his attention. "What did I say?"

“Stars,” Mok said and rolled his eyes, “How about some tea, then? Non-alcoholic.”

"Right, two teas." Jutt nodded, looking around the room himself, soon after lifting one hand to pull an empty chair across the floor. "I'm starting to wonder if you still miss me now." He said, a small smile on his face as he moved to the other chair, sighing as he sat back.

“I do,” said Mok, “Even if you’re not letting me drink.”

"Well, wouldn't you like to remember your first reunion with long lost family?" Jutt asked, stretching both legs out under the table, but still making sure his robes covered them. He turned his head to the side, nudging the little astromech to get its attention.

Mok nodded and rested his chin in his hand again defeated. There wasn’t any use arguing with Jutt, especially when he was right.

Jutt frowned at a sudden beeping, unhooking his comm from his belt to check the message. Mumbling under his breath, he set one hand on the table and pushed himself mostly upright. "Looks like you'll get your drink if you want it after all. My babysitter's checking in on me."

“Already?” Mok frowned and watched his brother for a moment. “Would you like me to walk you somewhere? Or would someone jump out of behind a rubbish bin and try to catch me?”

Jutt picked up and leaned on his cane. "The message came from Tython, you can check the information on the message if it worries you." he said, looking to Mok. "I'd like to continue this, if you would."

“I would, Jutt.”

"Then let's say this farewell the right way, hm?" Jutt asked, holding one arm out to Mok.

“Of course,” Mok said with a small smile and got up from the table, taking the other’s arm.

[lisjonok]

ff+ Boc/Jutt

“No, no, no. No. That’s highly inappropriate!” Boc’afa shook his head and left he holonet page quicker than he found it. He made a mental note to tell Jutt about it later, though. Oh those Padawans and their strange senses of humour.

[lisjonok]

saljamka‘s old Master Jedi Jutt and his former apprentice Kaal---both had been Sith Lords prior to becoming Jedi. They had a little chat on some rocks on Tython. I’m also convinced their blood is made of pure sass.

Logged their chat under the cut:

“Kaal.” The old Zabrak’s voice came from Kaal’s comlink which he’d left on while exercising. He paused briefly before continuing his push-ups, slowing his pace just a little.

“Hello,” he replied.

“Where are you?”

“About to head out to Nar Shaddaa.”

“Why?”

“Saw something of interest,” Kaal said with a grunt, rolling his eyes.

“And what’s that?”

“Is this an interrogation?”

“Not entirely.”

The Togruta stopped his exercise and sat down, looking towards his comlink. “Did you want something?”

“I’m vaguely bored, and you’re awake,” his former Master,Jutt, said.

“It’s true; I am.”

“I’m sure I’ll regret this,” Jutt paused briefly before continuing. “Are you very busy?”

“Nope.”

“Would you consider lending some company?”

“Where to?”

“Back on Tython.”

Kaal’s lekku curled slightly and he sighed audibly, loud enough for Jutt to hear it over comms. “If this is a trick to send me to the Council again, I will not be happy.”

“As far as I know, you’ve done nothing to warrant it.” Another pause. “Have you?”

“No.”

“You’re quite sure?”

“Yes.” Kaal sat in silence for half a minute, and then stood up and stretched. “I’ll head back.”

——————————

Kaal following a small stream near the hills until he spotted the older Zabrak who was sat on the rocks above him. The Togruta grumbled to himself and hiked up the hill until he came up to the cliffside. He folded his arms and shook his head as he approached Jutt. “Master Jedi, is this really the best place to sit?”

Jutt turned his head and looked back. “Worried I’ll fall?”

“It’s easy enough to slip,” Kaal shrugged, and then took a seat nearby. “How have you been, by the way?”

The Zabrak sighed. “I have been gathering harsh looks from the healers, that is how I have been.”

“What happened?” Kaal asked as he looked the Zabrak over, not looking very concerned otherwise. At least not visibly so.

Jutt cleared his throat. “Well. I may have got into a spot of bother.”

“Go on, Master.”

“You know how they exaggerate to make you feel worse for taking up their time.”

The Togruta stared at Jutt for a moment. “Is it your leg?”

“Not only,” the Master Jedi actually laughed a little. “Got into a little trouble out on a walk, too long a walk it seems. Met a few of the locals, not very hospitable.”

“Here?” Kaal blinked. “The Fleshraiders?” Jutt gave a nod. If Kaal didn’t know better, there may have been a tiny tint of embarrassment in that look. Kaal stared at his old Master for a moment, and then sighed. “You got bored smacking initiates so you had to go after those brutes out in the mountains, did you?”

“I don’t smack them, I gently correct their behaviour. And I didn’t exactly plan to go and find five of them and have them corner me, Kaal.”

“You’re lucky to be alive; you know that, right?”

“I heard that a lot from the healers, yes.”

“You’re not a very good role model for me, you know,” Kaal shook his head.

Jutt raised his brows at Kaal. “This is not the go ahead for you to do something stupid, too.”

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”

“Because if you do, my cane will find your shins.”

“Hm. I can outrun you.”

“And I’m a good throw.”

Kaal looked at Jutt in mock-horror. “Are you threatening me, Master?”

“You can’t prove a thing,” Jutt reached over and flicked Kaal’s nose.

The Togruta wrinkled his nose. “You’re taking advantage of the fact that no-one listens to me.”

“Oh please. You could easily take advantage by telling on me to one of the other Masters who barely tolerate me. I’m sure there’s a good few to choose from.”

“But which one of us”---Kaal poked Jutt with the end of a lek---“is less tolerated?”

“Let’s see…” Jutt shooed the lek away. “I am loud and argumentative, and you cause trouble and back-sass. I get on the healers’ nerves by not listening to them, and you go off galavanting.”

“At least my galavanting gets the Temple its holocrons back.”

“My arguments would help more if they were listened to. The amount of times I’ve been told to go meditate instead of being listened to.”

“You can get pretty emotional sometimes, Master.”

Jutt sighed. “Because they are---frustrating.”

“Have you tried writing a letter?” Kaal smiled.

The Zabrak squinted towards him. “No, why?”

“See. There’s your problem.”

“Honestly?”

“Yes. Or just write a book. Or make a holocron and throw it at their heads.”

Jutt couldn’t help by laugh. “The last one seems more my style, doesn’t it?”

Kaal gave a little half-smile. “I have to agree on that.”

Jutt slowly stretched one leg out in front of himself to rub. “I already have the perfect title.”

“Oh? What?”

“‘Why you and everyone else is wrong about everything’.”

“Do you honestly think you’re right about everything?”

“Well, ‘nearly everything’ doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it?”

“It’s more honest,” Kaal shrugged.

“If we wanted honest it would be ‘How a few people are mostly not correct about some things’.”

“Hm. It sounds to me like you have a problem with a handful of Masters, then. That’s not very good.”

Jutt raised a hand. “Ah, ah, I am not the one with the problem.” Kaal raised a brow to that. “No,” Jutt said, staring right back. Kaal then gave a sly smile. “What?” Jutt asked, raising both brows.

“I think you know.”

“Enlighten me, my boy.”

“Maybe another time, Dad.”

“You don’t have enough horns to be my son, anyway.”

“Are you telling me I’m---adopted?”

Jutt patted the Togruta’s arm in mock consolation as his former student gave a mock pout. “There there, I’ll buy you an ice cream to make up for it.”